PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Kalashnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brian Grimes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Grimes comes into a darkened arena with his song building. "Cyanide" by Metallica kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Kalashnikov
vs
Grimes

187 cm
22
200 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

178 cm
23
195 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mikhail Kalashnikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brian Grimes!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kalashnikov fails to land the takedown.

Kalashnikov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Grimes sprawls well initially but Kalashnikov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kalashnikov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kalashnikov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Grimes defending well though.
Ground and pound from Kalashnikov.
Kalashnikov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Grimes keeps working.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kalashnikov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Nice strikes from Kalashnikov there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalashnikov trying to control from half guard but Grimes is working away.
Ground and pound from Kalashnikov.
Kalashnikov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kalashnikov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kalashnikov is keen to just control but Grimes is a slippery customer.
Kalashnikov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Grimes keeping hold of Kalashnikov's head, controlling as best he can.
Kalashnikov is keen to just control but Grimes is a slippery customer.
Grimes is looking for a sweep. Kalashnikov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kalashnikov is looking for a kimura here.
Kalashnikov with the ground and pound but Grimes uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Grimes looking for a sweep. Not yet Grimes, not yet.
Kalashnikov connects with a couple of short punches.
Kalashnikov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Grimes can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kalashnikov throwing strikes from guard but Grimes blocks nicely.
Kalashnikov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kalashnikov throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grimes working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kalashnikov.
Kalashnikov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Kalashnikov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Kalashnikov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Grimes controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

Grimes is defending against the submission attempts here by Kalashnikov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov controlling the pace.
Grimes felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Kalashnikov is just content to waste time from the top position. Grimes takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Kalashnikov trying to control but Grimes is working from the bottom.
Kalashnikov throws a strike but Grimes rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kalashnikov trying to control the position.

Kalashnikov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Grimes defends well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Kalashnikov dominated that round.
That's time! Kalashnikov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Grimes leaves Kalashnikov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Grimes lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

It looks like Mikhail Kalashnikov has been cut.
Grimes throws a body punch but Kalashnikov moves out of range.

Kalashnikov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Kalashnikov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Grimes can do to turn this around?
Kalashnikov tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Kalashnikov trying to control the position but Grimes is working away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kalashnikov grinds an elbow into Grimes's temple.
Kalashnikov working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalashnikov trying to control the position but Grimes is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kalashnikov lands an elbow.
Kalashnikov creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Grimes sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Kalashnikov lands a nice forearm strike.
Kalashnikov throws an elbow but Grimes slips to the side and avoids it well.
Kalashnikov working the ground and pound.
Grimes regains half guard there - taking advantage of Kalashnikov's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Kalashnikov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kalashnikov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Grimes with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grimes tries to get to full guard but Kalashnikov has control of the leg.
Kalashnikov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Grimes defending well though.
Grimes keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kalashnikov wants to pass to mount but Grimes is defending the position.
Kalashnikov passes to side control.
Kalashnikov lands an elbow.
Kalashnikov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Grimes keeps working.
Kalashnikov misses with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov laying and praying for a moment but Grimes takes advantage and regains half guard.
Grimes really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kalashnikov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kalashnikov wants to control but Grimes is keeping him busy.
Kalashnikov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kalashnikov is controlling the pace.
Kalashnikov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kalashnikov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kalashnikov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kalashnikov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kalashnikov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Grimes regains full guard. Nicely done.
Grimes tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kalashnikov throws a big right hand that misses.
Kalashnikov works over Grimes with some ground and pound from guard.
Kalashnikov passes into half guard.
Kalashnikov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kalashnikov lands a nice short elbow.
Kalashnikov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Kalashnikov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mikhail Kalashnikov's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

No luck for Kalashnikov with that takedown attempt.
Brian Grimes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheers as Grimes lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kalashnikov doesn't seem phased though.

Kalashnikov gets the takedown into side control.
Kalashnikov working the ground and pound but Grimes is defending the strikes.
An elbow from Kalashnikov crashes against the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kalashnikov working the ground and pound but Grimes is defending the strikes.
Kalashnikov tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Kalashnikov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grimes takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grimes managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Kalashnikov.
Grimes tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kalashnikov sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Grimes is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Kalashnikov works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

Kalashnikov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kalashnikov controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Grimes is trying to control Kalashnikov's posture but Kalashnikov avoids it.
The ground and pound from Kalashnikov seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Kalashnikov tries to advance to mount but Grimes denies him.
Kalashnikov cracks Grimes with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Kalashnikov tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Kalashnikov goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Grimes has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Kalashnikov but great work by Grimes.
Kalashnikov tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grimes trying to control the position but Kalashnikov is working away.
Mikhail Kalashnikov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kalashnikov wants to control but Grimes postures up.
Kalashnikov tries to bench press Grimes off him but Grimes keeps the position.
Kalashnikov is trying to control Grimes's posture but Grimes avoids it.
Grimes trying to control the position but Kalashnikov is working away.
Brian Grimes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kalashnikov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Grimes wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Kalashnikov is trying to control Grimes's posture but Grimes avoids it.
Kalashnikov is looking for a sweep.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Kalashnikov is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Grimes off and has taken his back!
Kalashnikov is not going to allow Grimes to sit and survive in this position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kalashnikov misses with a punch to the head.
Kalashnikov lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mikhail Kalashnikov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kalashnikov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mikhail Kalashnikov!
Mikhail Kalashnikov decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.